I hope the Golden Nights stay on the periphery of playoff contention all season. I love the story and the fans there are into hockey. Vegas is a fun time to watch.

The Winnipeg Jets are tied for top spot in the NHL.

WHAT IS GOING ON?!?!

Paul Maurice is coach of the year.

You'd love that, wouldn't you Sammy ?

Good for Winnipeg. The league's smallest market, but have some of the most passionate fans. They deserve a good run.

If the Jets had a legit number one goalie they would be scary good.

Hellebuyck's 2.31 GAA and .925 save percentage in 22+ games is not legitimate #1 goalie numbers?

For goalies with 15+ starts (#1 goalie range)

GAA

2.02 - Goalie Bob
2.21 - Quick
2.22 - Vasilevski
2.29 - Crawford

Then Helle.

Save %

.932 - Vasilevski
.931 - Goalie Bob
.930 - Quick + Crawford
.928 - Luongo
.926 - Rinne

Then Helle. Seems to be in pretty good company this year so far. For the record, all goalies listed have 20+ games played, except Lou who has 15.

Dec 5, 2017 22:55:18 GMT Foos said:

Hellebuyck's 2.31 GAA and .925 save percentage in 22+ games is not legitimate #1 goalie numbers?

For goalies with 15+ starts (#1 goalie range)

GAA

2.02 - Goalie Bob
2.21 - Quick
2.22 - Vasilevski
2.29 - Crawford

Then Helle.

Save %

.932 - Vasilevski
.931 - Goalie Bob
.930 - Quick + Crawford
.928 - Luongo
.926 - Rinne

Then Helle. Seems to be in pretty good company this year so far. For the record, all goalies listed have 20+ games played, except Lou who has 15.

He is having a great season thus far no doubt. But to call him a legitimate number one goalie over that sample size is fooslish.

Jets need a number one to reach that elite status and Helle is a posibility. But, the Jets may just be fine with a serviceable goalie.

So what's a large enough sample size?

Dec 7, 2017 2:57:58 GMT Foos said:

So what's a large enough sample size?

For a full fledged elite goalie at least a couple of seasons with playoff experience and Vezina votes. Have that breakout season. Follow it up to prove it was not a fluke. Then enter the third season with a target on your back.

So there are no elite goalies on non-playoff teams?

Dec 8, 2017 18:25:29 GMT Foos said:

So there are no elite goalies on non-playoff teams?

Who are the elite goalies in the NHL?

You tell me. You're the one who brought up elite goalies and I'm just trying to find out how Zappy determines elite goalies.

Elite goalies are Price, Goalie Bob, Holtby, Murray, Schneider, Dubnyk, Rinne, Quick.

And the top three in no specific order from that group is Price, Goalie Bob, and Schneider.

But Zappy, Schneider has zero playoff success, so according to your own definition he is not elite.

I won't tell Zappy, he'd be so disappointed.

Dec 4, 2017 18:28:21 GMT Foos said:

The Winnipeg Jets are tied for top spot in the NHL.

WHAT IS GOING ON?!?!

What do think has been the difference with the Jets this season compared to previous seasons Foos,?

Dec 12, 2017 1:14:27 GMT Foos said:

But Zappy, Schneider has zero playoff success, so according to your own definition he is not elite.

I won't tell Zappy, he'd be so disappointed.

There it is. Yeah Schneider's playing time was overshadowed by Luongo. Majority of relief in year one. Good stats, but just a couple games in year 2, and 2 games in year 3. However, Schneider consistently performs well in the regular season. One of the top in save percentage and goal against average. With Schneider as the full fledged number one goalie in Jersey I would expect him to be the main reason why they would go on a deep run if they were to make the playoffs.

Now let's get back to the original discussion topic. Helle is not near the group of gentlemen I stated above at this point of his career.

If I needed a game 7 starter I'm taking Schneider over a majority of goalies in the league including Helle.

To answer your question Ed, there are a few factors:

1) Health - Jets were second in the league in man games lost to injury last year. This year, they've lost Perreault for a while, Enstrom for a few months, and now Buff for a few weeks. Been relatively healthy

2) Depth - When all the forwards are healthy, Jets can run four competitive lines for the first time since they've been back. Perreault playing on the 4th line, and second PP unit has been huge. He has 13 points in 14 games since coming back from injury. On the 4th line!

3) Better special teams - #4 PP in the league. PK is 22, but has been slowly creeping up after being a bottom 5 unit year after year after year.

4) Goaltending. (this part is for you too Zappy). Hellebuyck has been a top 5 goalie this year. At no point did I say he was elite, but for the first 30 games, Hellebuyck has been top 5 based on numbers. That consistent goalie play has made a world of difference, finally getting rid of a garbage player like Pavelec and inconsistent Hutchinson.

Yeah, Pavelec wins games here and there but to me, he's always been marginal at best. He had 44 saves tonight though whatever that's worth.

Absolutely Foos I agree with you. Helle is having a fantastic season. And Pavelec although had a great game tonight is trash.

Dec 12, 2017 4:08:35 GMT Zappy said:

Absolutely Foos I agree with you. Helle is having a fantastic season. And Pavelec although had a great game tonight is trash.

Every 10th game or so Pavelec will look unbeatable. Think to yourself...man...this guy is amazing! The other 9/10 games he's an AHL goalie at best. Just maddening. So glad he's NYR's problem now. I feel terrible for those fans if King Henrik gets injured. 

Way to start the next century of Leafs hockey. 8-1 over Carolina, with eight different goal scorers.

I'm glad the Islanders are moving back where they belong.

I was finally able to watch some Rangers hockey last night against the Devils. Just an awful second period. Their giveaways were some beer hockey league shit. Lundqvist turned back the clock and had a hell of game, but was ultimately let dowm by his teammates. 4 on 3 Power play in overtime you gotta score. At least make some smart cross ice one timers. Not from the point to goal line that gives yourself an awful angle to get the puck on net.

Glad the Islanders are getting a new arena built for them. Also, glad NYCFC is staying at Yankee Stadium for the time being at least.

Barclays is a piss poor arena. The NYC subway system is riddled with crime and EDPs, and don't even get my started with Brooklyn.

Barclays was built for Basketball, NOT hockey. I mean, look at the arenas where the Coyotes, Stars, and Panthers played in when they first arrived.

Scheif injured for two months. Sadface. Looked like a broken collarbone to me. Stupid Edmonton.

Well it looks like Jagrs days in the NHL are numbered. I never expected him to agree to fourth line minutes, but his nagging groin injury has kept him out of the lineup and limited his minutes. It's a shame because he played well when he was on the first line for a game or two.

I hope somehow a team takes him, but that is wishful thinking at this point unfortunately.

I expected Lundqvist to start both games this weekend. Both divisional opponents plus having a week off. Not necessarily putting all of the blame Pavelec, but you gotta go with your best against these teams especially with the rest.

A much-needed win for the Rangers. A nice bounce-back game after Saturday's debacle.

Ricks Dick is heating up and is unstoppable when he goes to the gritty areas.

With that said it's time for the Rangers to begin their fire sale. With injuries to key members they are simply not a legitimate threat if they ever were one this season. Some how the Rangers are only two points out of a playoff spot, which is why they will keep this team together though.